Fair Catch (3 page)

Ellie started to back away, ignoring Betsy’s narrowed eyes. “Could you and Owen watch Cade while I go for a little run? I really need some
alone
time.”

Betsy placed her hands on her hips. “Ellie, you went running this morning.”

“Thanks, Bets,” Ellie said, ignoring the protest. “I owe you.”

She didn’t even wait to hear the answer as she took off for home. While she changed into a T-shirt and running shorts, she prayed Betsy wouldn’t push it. Things could get
so
uncomfortable if Betsy had made up her mind for Ellie and the new guy to get together.

Sneaking out the back way, she took off at a rather fast pace—like she could outrun her problems and Betsy’s potential dating service. A: She wasn’t interested in dating. B: She wasn’t interested in dating a wealthy bachelor.

While running, she asked herself why a single man would buy such a big house. Hugh Hefner went through her mind along with some other players and she shuddered at the thought. For one thing, Ellie didn’t like silk bathrobes, and for another, she wouldn’t be caught dead in a bikini wearing bunny ears.

Her conscience pricked at her, though. It wasn’t fair to judge someone just because they had money. Not every man with a healthy stock portfolio would automatically resemble her ex-husband.

Still, just to be on the safe side, if she were to ever consider dating again, it would be with someone who didn’t have the potential to run off with another woman. How she would actually figure that out beforehand remained to be seen. There had to be a questionnaire out there somewhere where you could screen men for possible issues with commitment. Maybe that’s what dating services were all about. Would she ever do that?

Not in this lifetime.

* * *

Nick was stuffed from the homemade chicken pot pie. Seeing the dessert, he wished he’d left a little room. The chocolate silk pie looked unbelievable. Pastor Stewart had it good. The doorbell rang and before anyone answered, a little blond haired boy walked in the kitchen.

“Betsy, Mom said I could have a cookie.”

Betsy shot out of her chair and craned her neck. “Where is your mom?”

“Outside.”

“Owen, can you get Cade a cookie?” Betsy rushed out of the kitchen. “I need to talk to Ellie.”

Nick watched the little boy launch himself into the man’s leg. “Hi, Pastor Owen.”

Chuckling, Owen patted the child affectionately. “Hey, Cade, how was the museum?”

“Hard.” Cade shrugged his shoulders and reached into the cookie jar. “How many can I have?”

Owen laughed. “How about three.”

 Nick watched as the boy brought out the allotted amount. Cade was really cute and it made Nick miss his own niece and nephews. He tried not to think about how much he’d love to have his own kids. Who said women were the only ones with a biological clock?

Owen introduced Nick to his new neighbor. Cade grinned and said hi around a mouthful of Oreos.

Betsy came back in a few minutes later and gave her husband a narrowed look. “Ellie decided to go jogging.” Then she looked at the table. “She actually passed up my chocolate silk pie.”

“Do I get to stay?” Cade asked around a mouthful of cookie.

“Yep. Your mom will be back soon.” She glanced at Nick. “Are you ready for dessert?”

Rubbing his stomach, Nick decided he should pass and maybe go for a run himself. He’d been in the car all day and hadn’t had much of a chance for any exercise. When he declined, Betsy insisted on wrapping up a couple of slices for him.

 “Thank you so much for dinner.” He held up the dessert plate. “And for this.”

“You’re welcome.” Betsy wiped her hands on her apron. “Are you sure two pieces are enough? I can get another slice of pie if you want.”

Nick grinned, tempted to take her up on the offer. “I better not. In fact, I think I need to go for a run myself.”

Betsy’s eyebrow rose and she smiled. “There’s a great jogging trail behind our house.”

“That’s right.” The realtor had said something about that. “Thanks for the reminder.” He reached out and shook the preacher’s hand. “Thank you for letting me come to dinner, Pastor Owen. You’re a lucky man.”

“Just call me Owen.” The man patted his slightly rounded middle and grinned. “You’re right, I am very lucky.”

Nick waved goodbye and crossed the street to his house. After changing into long shorts and a Defenders T-shirt, he made his way toward the jogging path. The weather was beautiful and warm for May, the sun low in the sky. He wished he had a few more hours before the sun set. Just thinking about going back to an empty house in the dark increased his loneliness. Would getting a dog help?

Now was not the time to be in between girlfriends. In reality, he hadn’t had a steady girlfriend for a long time. Not since Roxanne. Besides, right now he was actually looking for a wife—something that proved difficult, especially with his reputation of being a player.

In the early years, his reputation hadn’t bothered him. If he were to be completely honest, he’d liked it. What guy wouldn’t have? He had never lacked for female companionship and most of his dates were upcoming actresses or models. Nick had been young and stupid, his fame and money having gone straight to his head. Most of the time, the stories stretched the truth, but Nick knew he hadn’t been living the way his parents had taught him.

It had taken the death of his best friend for Nick to recommit to his faith. That tragic event, coupled with age and maturity, had Nick questioning his life. He found he’d grown tired of the whole celebrity scene. He wanted to settle down and get married, but it was hard to find a nice Christian girl in his dating pool. His player reputation wasn’t helping.

Then he’d met Roxanne and everything had changed. He thought they had been in love and really believed her desire to learn more about his faith had been sincere. He couldn’t have been more wrong and it had almost cost him everything.

Forcing the memory out, he finally reached the trail. It wound around a large open green space and Nick noted only a few people enjoying the last of the daylight. A woman running on the path caught his attention. He admired her slender body being carried by beautiful long legs. Her golden hair was curly and reached the middle of her back. She was running at a steady pace—away from him.

Making a split second decision, he moved toward her, hoping their paths would cross. It was probably a stupid move, especially if she recognized him. But for some reason he wanted to meet the golden-haired woman.

* * *

Ellie started to slow down, wanting to cool down before retrieving Cade. She grinned wickedly, knowing Betsy wouldn’t want to introduce her to the new guy if she was sweaty. Her long, curly hair hung down her back, making her wish she’d at least pulled it into a ponytail. She wore it longer than she’d ever had it before, mainly because Thomas had liked her hair short. He didn’t like the natural curl and insisted on her straightening her hair out. The short bob she had worn made that easier.

The sky turned a brilliant salmon color and she couldn’t resist stopping to gaze at the beautiful sunset. Walking slowly, she thought about her aversion to men—it wasn’t healthy—especially since she was raising one. Sooner or later her cynical attitude would affect her son as he grew into manhood.

Her brow furrowed. Introspection rarely proved to be fun. It meant you needed to change.

Hearing heavy footsteps, she raised her eyes to see a tall, dark and handso…she made her brain screech to a halt. Appreciating a nice looking male must be a knee-jerk reaction. Suddenly, she felt vulnerable and looked around to see if anyone would hear her scream if the approaching man turned out to be dangerous.

As he neared, she looked up again and their eyes met. He smiled and Ellie felt the impact all the way to her toes. It irritated her that she even found him remotely handsome. He was tall with medium brown hair and his eyes were dark blue, framed by thick dark lashes. Trying to ignore her brain, which once again was taking in the square jaw and broad shoulders, she berated herself.
Good grief what is wrong with me
?

The man slowed down. Panicked, she wished she had her cell phone so she could pretend she had a phone call. Racking her brain for something to do, she looked at her watch and studied it intently.

The stranger stopped in front of her. “Hi, do you have the time?”

Wow, he had a nice voice. Automatically, she looked up and stared into unbelievable dark blue eyes. “Um, yeah it’s…” When she’d been studying her watch, it would have been nice to actually note the time. She glanced at it again and then relayed the time.

The attractive man smiled. “Thanks. I just—”

Her heart picked up the pace again and all he had done was smile. Retreat was her only option. “Oh wow! I didn’t realize it was so late.” She took off for home, waving over her shoulder. “Have a nice night.”

Disturbed by her awareness of the unidentified man, Ellie approached the Stewarts’ house, eager to see her little boy. How could Thomas stand to stay away from Cade for so long? She could barely go an hour without feeling bereft.

Involuntarily, the blue eyed stranger’s face lingered in her mind. For some reason the man had looked vaguely familiar and she racked her brain trying to figure out where she’d seen him before. With a face like his, you’d think she could remember. Hearing her son’s laughter coming from the backyard, she made her way around the house.

“Mommy!” Cade cried when he saw her. She loved it when he called her mommy.

Her eyes softened with love. “Hi, baby.”

Cade made a face. “I’m not a baby.”

She squinted at him and pretended to be thinking. “Okay, how about babelicious?”

He giggled at the name she’d made up. Looking at Betsy, she noticed the same determined look on her face. The one that meant you’re-going-to-meet-the-new-neighbor-and-you’re-going-to-like-it. The woman was hard to deter once she had an agenda.

“Did you enjoy your run?” Betsy asked with mild sarcasm.

Again the handsome stranger’s face flashed behind her eyes. “Yeah, thanks for watching Cade.”

Betsy’s eyes narrowed. “I was going to introduce you to our new neighbor, but now I don’t think I will.”

That was way too easy
. Ellie laughed. “Okay.”

Betsy grinned. “Not so fast, little missy. Tomorrow you’re coming with me to say hello to Nick.”

Nick, huh?
Sounded like a perfectly harmless name. Still…

“Um, I really have a full day tomorrow, but maybe later…like next week?”

Betsy looked at her, clearly exasperated. “I don’t think you’re that busy.”

She felt her defenses rising. “I am if you have in mind what I think you have in mind.”

Betsy’s eyes softened. “Ellie, are you going to let one stupid man ruin the rest of your life?”

The question wasn’t rhetorical and had been whispered so Cade didn’t hear, but Ellie wasn’t going to give Betsy an answer. The truth was that she continued to allow “one stupid man” to manipulate her. In fact, it was getting a little maniacal the way Ellie constantly thought about Thomas and all he had or hadn’t done to her.

Ignoring the question, she called to her son. “Cade, we need to get home.”

His little mouth pulled down into a frown. “Mom, can’t we stay just a little longer?”

“If you want me to read you more than one story, then you better come right now.” Her voice came off a little sharper than normal. She started to blame it on Thomas, but made herself stop. Softening her voice, she held out her hand. “Come on, sweetie. Tell Betsy goodnight.”

Cade reluctantly took his mother’s hand and mumbled a farewell.

She met Betsy’s gaze, reading compassion in them. “Thanks again. I’ll think about what you said. Okay?” Ellie couldn’t quite make a full concession. Deep down, she knew by refusing to date or even talk about dating, Thomas still had control over her life.

“Okay.” Betsy sighed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As Ellie walked home with Cade, her eyes flickered over to the house across the street. Meeting her new neighbor was inevitable. She shouldn’t have made such a big deal out of it. Maybe tomorrow she would meet him…or the next. It’s not like he was going anywhere.

Before going inside, she and Cade checked the mailbox. Her parents were sending a CD of pictures and she hoped it had come today. She sorted through the bundle of letters, disappointed to find there were only bills.

"Did it come?” Cade asked.

“Nope.” She tousled his blond hair. “Maybe tomorrow.”

Ellie resisted the urge to look at the new guy’s house, and took Cade by the hand, leading him inside to get ready for bed.

* * *

Nick circled the path, thinking about the blonde and wishing he could’ve talked to her for more than a few seconds. She was beautiful. Her pixie like face made her look young—but her body definitely belonged to a woman. He glanced across the trail and noticed she was gone.

At first, he’d had the impulse to follow her, but the way she had bolted made him stop. After all, he was an unknown man and she was alone. She obviously hadn’t recognized him. He wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or offended.

As the sun made its decent into the western sky, fatigue of the long day finally caught up with Nick. He was tired and wanted nothing more than a hot shower and his soft bed. He cut across the green space and headed for his new home.

He stepped inside the door and shucked off his shoes and socks. The wood floor felt cool to his feet as he crossed the entryway to the kitchen to get a drink of water. As he flipped on the kitchen light, he saw all the boxes stacked on the counter and floor. Nothing had been unpacked.

Turning on the kitchen sink, Nick ducked down and drank the water right from the tap. A minute later, he turned off the sink and swiped a hand across his mouth as he glanced at the microwave clock. It was still fairly early, but he didn’t feel like doing any work. Right now, even making his bed sounded difficult.

Not having his house put together made it seem even emptier. He wasn’t sure why he was suddenly feeling so blue. Maybe he would host a party. He could invite potential supporters while making some new friends. Tomorrow he would arrange to get his Dish Network set up.